Burton D. Fisher's comprehensive history of opera that traces each milestone and metamorphosis in the evolution of modern opera. All periods are analysed in depth: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Bel Canto, Opera Buffa, German Romanticism, Wagner and music drama, Verismo, post-Romanticism, Atonalism, and much more. Each of the 17 operas that represents a "milestone" in opera history is presented with Principal Characters in the Opera; Brief Story Synopsis;

A comprehensive history of opera that traces each milestone in opera history from the 16th century Camerata through the next 400 years, and featured in depth analysis of all important genres: the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras, Bel Canto, Opera Buffa, German Romanticism, Wagner and music drama, Verismo, Impressionism, Expressionism, Serialism, and much more.[